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Al Davis may no longer be with us but the Raiders look like the same old Raiders through the first 90 minutes of free agency. Flush with $64 million in salary-cap space, the team let its two best linemen -- left tackle Jared Veldheer and defensive end Lamarr Houston -- walk while throwing money at Rams castoff Roger Saffold.
And Oakland also didn't try to keep running back Rashad Jennings, but instead brought Darren McFadden back on a one-year, $4 million deal that seems, well, curious.
Glad to be back in black
— Darren McFadden (@dmcfadden20) March 11, 2014
Jennings led the Raiders in rushing last season, with 733 yards and a 4.5 YPC average. McFadden, meanwhile, accounted for 379 yards and a 3.3 YPC average. According to Football Outsiders, Jennings ranked fifth in value per play among NFL running backs, while McFadden ranked ... 42nd.
So, yeah, same old Raiders.
I mean, really. How the #$%^ do you lose your two best linemen when you have $64 million in cap room? Raiders are the new Raiders.
— SI_DougFarrar (@SI_DougFarrar) March 11, 2014
To recap: The Raiders have let Veldeer go,paying more for Saffold. They let Lamar Houston go, Rashad Jennings go, and re-sign Mcfadden. #???
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 11, 2014
